Flow generator

ABSTRACT

A flow generator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a fan configured to generate a first air flow and a second air flow, which flow to close to each other in a vertical direction; a fan housing configured to accommodate the fan; a cover disposed to surround the fan and the fan housing; and a catch device configured to guide selective coupling between the cover and the fan housing, wherein the catch device perform a first operation to restrict or release the cover and the fan housing in a circumferential direction and perform a second operation to restrict or release the cover and the fan housing in the vertical direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a flow generator.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a flow generator is understood as a device for driving a fan to generate an air flow and blowing the generated air flow to a position desired by a user. The flow generator is usually called a “fan”. Such a flow generator may be mainly disposed in an indoor space such as a home or office and be used to provide cool and pleasant feeling to a user in hot weather such as summer.

With respect to this flow generator, techniques of the following prior art document has been proposed in the related art.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 1

1. Publication Number (Publication Date): 10-2012-0049182 (May 16, 2012)

2. Title of The Invention: Axial Fan

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 2

1. Publication Number (Publication Date): 10-2008-0087365 (Oct. 1, 2008)

2. Title of The Invention: Electric Fan

Each of the devices according to the prior art documents 1 and 2 includes a support placed on the ground, a leg extending upward from the support, and a fan coupled to an upper portion of the leg. The fan may be an axial flow fan. When the fan is driven, air is suctioned from a rear side of the device toward the fan, and the suctioned air passes through the fan and then is discharged to a front side of the device.

According to the prior art documents 1 and 2, the fan is exposed to the outside. In the device according to the prior art document 1, although a safety cover surrounding the outside of the fan is provided for a reason of safety, there is still a concern that a users finger passes through the safety cover to touch the fan. Also, if a large amount of dust exists in a space in which the device is placed, there is a problem that the dust is easily accumulated in the fan through the safety cover, and thus, the device becomes easily dirty.

Also, in the devices according to the prior art documents 1 and 2, in terms of simply generating an air flow to be supplied to the user, if the device is used in a space with a high degree of contamination, the users health may be deteriorated.

In addition, in an environment in which a temperature of an installation space is somewhat low in winter, the use of the devices according to the prior art documents 1 and 2 are not necessary, and thus, the device should be stored until the summer of next year. As a result, there is a problem that the usability of the device is deteriorated.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

To solve the above problem, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a flow generator that is capable of discharging conditioned or purified air.

Also, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a flow generator in which air treated in the upper module and the lower module is mixed with each other while being discharged.

Also, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a flow generator that is easily assembled or disassembled.

Also, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a flow generator which is capable of easily releasing electrical connection.

Also, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a flow generator in which a fan is not exposed to the outside.

Also, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a flow generator in which air suctioned into each of upper and lower portions thereof is capable of being discharged through a central portion thereof.

Also, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a flow generator in which an upper module and a lower module rotate together to discharge air in various directions.

Also, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a flow generator in which an exposed area of a fan, through which internal air flows, to the outside is minimized to provide a neat appearance without accumulation of dust on the fan.

Technical Solution

To achieve the above objects, a flow generator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a fan configured to generate a first air flow and a second air flow, which flow to close to each other in a vertical direction; a fan housing configured to accommodate the fan; a cover disposed to surround the fan and the fan housing; and a catch device configured to guide selective coupling between the cover and the fan housing, wherein the catch device perform a first operation to restrict or release the cover and the fan housing in a circumferential direction and perform a second operation to restrict or release the cover and the fan housing in the vertical direction.

Also, the catch device may include: a first catch device configured to guide the first operation; and a second catch device configured to guide the second operation, the first catch device may include: a latch accommodation part provided in the cover; a first latch inserted into the latch accommodation part; and a second latch movably coupled to the fan housing, and the second latch may vertically move to be restricted to or released from the latch accommodation part.

Also, the first catch device may further include a catch protrusion protruding from the latch accommodation part, and the first operation may include: a first catch operation through which the second latch and the catch protrusion are caught with each other; and a first release operation through which the caught state between the second latch and the catch protrusion is released.

Also, the second catch device may include: a hook disposed to protrude from one surface of the fan housing; and a hook coupling part disposed on the cover and having a shape corresponding to the hook.

Also, the hook may have a shape that is bent in one direction. Also, the hook and the hook coupling part may be inserted by sliding at least one of the cover or the fan housing in the circumferential direction.

Also, the second operation may include: a second catch operation through the hook coupling part is inserted into the hook; and a second release operation through which the hook coupling part is away from the hook.

Also, the fan, a fan housing, and a cover may include an upper fan configured to guide the first air flow, an upper fan housing, and an upper cover, a lower fan configured to guide the second air flow, a lower fan, a lower fan housing, and a lower cover, and the catch device may include: an upper catch device configured to restrict or release the upper cover and the upper fan housing; and a lower catch device configured to restrict or release the lower cover and the lower fan housing.

Also, the catch device may include a contact part at which electrical disconnection is performed according to the restriction or release between the cover and the fan housing.

In further another aspect, to achieve the above objects, a method for separating a flow generator according to an embodiment of the present invention including: a first module including an upper cover; a second module coupled to the first module and including a fan and a fan housing accommodating the fan; and a third module coupled to the second module and including a base placed on the ground, a leg extending from the base, and a lower cover coupled to the leg, includes: a first separation separating the first module from the second module; and a second separation separating the second module from the third module, wherein, in the first separation and the second separation, a first catch device restricting the modules in a circumferential direction is pressed in a vertical direction to release the restriction of the modules, and a second catch device restricting the modules in the vertical direction rotates to release the restriction of the modules.

Also, the first separation may include: pressing the first catch device to release the restriction between the upper cover and the upper fan housing in the circumferential direction; and rotating the upper cover in the circumferential direction to release the restriction of the vertical direction between the upper cover and the upper fan housing

Also, the upper cover may be separated upward to expose the upper fan and the upper fan housing to the outside.

Also, the second separation may include pressing the first catch device to release the restriction between the lower cover and the lower fan housing in the circumferential direction.

Also, a direction in which the first catch device is pressed in the first separation may be opposite to a direction in which the first catch device is pressed in the second separation.

Also, the second separation may further include rotating the lower fan housing in the circumferential direction to release the restriction of the vertical direction between the lower cover and the lower fan housing.

Also, when the restriction of at least one of the first catch device or the second mechanism is released, electrical disconnection between the modules may be performed.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

According to the present invention, since the air flow is generated by the driving of the fan provided in each of the upper module and the lower module, the amount of discharged air to be supplied to the user may increase.

According to the present invention, the air may be suctioned through the upper and lower portion of the main body to increase in air blowing capacity.

According to the present invention, since the flow generator is divided into the three modules, and then, the three modules are assembled or disassembled, the degree of difficulty of the assembly or disassembly may be simplified, and the controllability such as the cleaning may be improved.

According to the present invention, since the contact point for the electrical connection is disconnected when the modules are separated to be disassembled, the accident risk due to the operation of the internal constituent may be prevented. That is, the safety of the user may be secured.

According to the present invention, the air rotating the circumferential direction while passing through the fan may be easily discharged in the radial direction by the air guide device to concentrate the discharged air.

According to the present invention, since the upper module and the lower module discharge the air while rotating, the air may be discharged in the various directions.

According to the present invention, since the dust is not accumulated on the fan within the flow generator, the neat appearance may be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a flow generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an upper module and a lower module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of the upper module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a configuration of an upper fan housing and an upper fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a configuration of the upper fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the configuration of the upper fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a coupled state of an upper cover and the upper fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views illustrating a configuration and operation of a first catch device of the upper cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views illustrating a configuration and operation of a second catch device of the upper cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of the lower module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a configuration of a lower fan housing and a lower fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a configuration of the lower fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the configuration of the lower fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an upper orifice and the lower fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a configuration of the upper orifice and the lower fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a rotary motor is installed on the upper orifice according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a configuration of a heater assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a base according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are views illustrating a state in which air passing through a fan is discharged from the upper module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are views illustrating a state in which the air passing through the fan is discharged from the lower module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a flow of air discharged from the upper module and the lower module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fixed portion F and a rotatable portion R of a flow generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a view illustrating a connected portion for assembly and disassembly of the flow generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are views illustrating a method of disassembling the flow generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a flow generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 1.

[Main Body]

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a flow generator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 20 including suction parts 21 and 23 through which air is suctioned and discharge parts 25 and 27 through which air is discharged.

[First and Second Suction Parts]

The suction parts 21 and 23 include a first suction part 21 provided in an upper portion of the main body 20 and a second suction part 23 provided in a lower portion of the main body 20. Air suctioned through the first suction part 21 may flow downward to be discharged to a central portion of the main body 21. Also, air suctioned through the second suction part 23 may flow upward to be discharged to a central portion of the main body 21. The “central portion” of the main body 21 may represent a central portion of the main body 21 in a vertical direction.

Also, the first suction part 21 may be called an upper suction part, and the second suction part 23 may be called a lower suction part.

[First and Second Discharge Parts]

The discharge parts 25 and 27 may be disposed at the central portion of the main body 20. The discharge parts 25 and 27 include a first discharge part 25 through which the air suctioned into the first suction part 21 is discharged and a second discharge part 27 through which the air suctioned into the second suction part 23 is discharged. The first discharge part 25 is disposed above the second discharge part 27.

Also, the first discharge part 25 may discharge the air in a direction of the second discharge part 27, and the second discharge part 27 may discharge the air in a direction of the first discharge part 25. In other words, a first air flow discharged from the first discharge part 25 and a second air flow discharged from the second discharge part 27 may flow to be close to each other.

The air discharged from the first discharge part 25 and the air discharged from the second discharge part 27 may flow in a lateral direction of a radial direction of the main body 20. A passage through which the air discharged from the first discharge part 25 flows is called a “first discharge passage 26”, and a passage through which the air discharged from the second discharge part 27 flows is called a “second discharge passage 28”. Also, the first and second discharge passages 26 and 28 may be collectively called a “discharge passage”.

Also, the first discharge part 25 may be called an upper discharge part, and the second discharge part 27 may be called a lower discharge part.

[Direction Definition]

The direction will be defined. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a longitudinal direction may be referred to as an “axial direction” or “vertical direction”, and a transverse direction perpendicular to the axial direction may be referred to as a “radial direction”.

[Leg]

The flow generator 10 further includes a leg 30 provided below the main body 20. The leg 30 may extend downward from the main body 20 and be coupled to a base 50. The base 50 may be a component placed on the ground and support the main body 20 and the leg 30.

The leg 30 includes a leg body 31 coupled to the base 50 to extend upward. Also, the leg 30 further includes leg extension parts 33 and 35 extending upward from the leg body 31. The leg extension parts 33 and 35 include a first leg extension part 33 extending from the leg body 31 in one direction and a second leg extension part 35 extending from the leg body 31 in the other direction. The first and second leg extension parts 33 and 35 may be coupled to a lower portion of the main body 20.

For example, the leg body 31 and the first and second leg extension parts 33 and 35 may have a “Y” shape. However, the present invention is not limited to the shape of the leg body 30 and the first and second leg extension parts 33 and 35.

For example, three or more leg extension parts may be provided. Also, the leg extension parts may include a tripod-shaped base.

For another example, the leg extension parts may be omitted, and only the leg body having a straight line shape may be provided.

For further another example, the leg body may be omitted, and a plurality of leg extension parts may extend upward from the base.

<Configuration of Upper Module>

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an upper module and a lower module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of the upper module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an upper module 100 and a lower module 200 disposed below the upper module 100. The upper module 100 and the lower module 200 may be laminated in the vertical direction.

[Upper Fan and Upper Fan Housing]

The upper module includes an upper fan 130 generating an air flow and an upper fan housing 150 in which the upper fan 130 is installed.

The upper fan 130 may include a centrifugal fan that suctions the air in the axial direction and discharges the suctioned air in the radial direction. For example, the upper fan 130 may include a sirocco fan.

The upper fan housing 150 may have a guide structure that supports a lower portion of the upper fan 130 and guides the air flow generated by rotation of the upper fan 130 to the first discharge part 25.

[First Air Treating Device]

A first air treating device operates to air-condition or purify air flowing through the upper module 100 may be provided in the upper fan housing 150. For example, the first air treating device may include an ionizer 179 capable of removing floating microorganisms from the suctioned air.

The ionizer 179 may be installed on an ionizer mounting part 168 provided in the upper fan housing 150. The ionizer mounting part 168 is provided on a guide wall 153. The ionizer 179 may be installed on the ionizer mounting part 168 and exposed to a first fan passage 138 a. Thus, the ionizer 179 may act on the air passing through the upper fan 130 to perform a sterilizing function.

[Upper Motor]

The upper module 100 further includes an upper motor 170 connected to the upper fan 130 to provide driving force. An upper motor shaft 171 is provided on the upper motor 170. The upper motor shaft 171 may extend upward from the upper motor 170. Also, the upper motor 170 may be disposed below the upper fan housing 150, and the upper motor shaft 171 may be disposed to pass through the upper fan housing 150 and the upper fan 130.

[Locking Part]

The upper module 100 further includes an upper locking part 175 coupled to the upper motor shaft 171. The upper locking part 175 is disposed on a hub 131 a of the upper fan 130 to guide the upper motor 170 so that the upper motor 170 is fixed to the upper fan 130.

The upper locking part 175 may rotate in one direction to provide fixing force for fixing the upper motor 170 to the upper fan 130 and rotate in the other direction to release the fixed state of the upper motor 170.

[Upper Cover]

The upper module 100 further includes an upper cover 120 disposed to surround the upper fan 130 and the upper fan housing 150. In detail, the upper cover 120 includes a cover inflow part 121 which has an opened upper end and through which the air suctioned through the first suction part 21 is introduced. Also, the upper cover 120 further includes a cover discharge part 125 having an opened lower end. The air passing through the upper fan 130 may flow to the first discharge passage 26 through the cover discharge part 125.

The cover discharge part 125 may have a size greater than that of the cover inflow part 121. Thus, the upper cover 120 may have a truncated conical shape with opened upper and lower ends. Due to this configuration, the air passing through the upper fan 130 may flow to be gradually spread in a circumferential direction and then easily discharged through the first discharge part 25.

[Display Cover]

The upper module 100 further includes a display cover 110 seated on an upper portion of the upper cover 120. The display cover 110 includes a cover grill 112 providing an air passage. The air suctioned through the first suction part 21 may flow downward through an opened space of the cover grill 112.

[First Pre-Filter]

The upper module 100 further includes a first pre-filter 105 supported by the display cover 110. The first pre-filter 105 may include a filter frame 106 and a filter member 107 coupled to the filter frame 106. Foreign substances contained in the air suctioned through the first suction part 21 may be filtered by the first pre-filter 105.

[Top Cover and Top Cover Support]

The upper module 100 further includes a top cover support 103 coupled to an upper portion of the display cover 110 and a top cover 101 placed on the top cover support 103. The top cover support 103 may protrude upward from the display cover 110. It is understood that a space between the top cover support 103 and the display cover 110 provides the first suction part 21.

A central portion of the top cover support 103 may be coupled to a central portion of the display cover 110, and a bottom surface of the top cover support 103 may extend to be rounded from the central portion of the top cover support 103 in the outer radial direction. Due to the configuration of the top cover support 103, the air suctioned through the first suction part 21 may be guide toward a cover grill 112 of the display cover 110 along the bottom surface of the top cover support 103.

An input part through which a user command is inputted may be provided on an upper portion of the top cover 101. Also, a display PCB may be installed in the top cover 101.

[Upper Air Guide]

The upper module 100 further includes an upper air guide 180 provided below the upper fan housing 150 to guide the air passing through the upper fan housing 150 to the first discharge passage 267. The upper air guide 180 is configured to support the upper fan housing 150. Also, the upper fan housing 150 includes a first guide coupling part (see reference numeral 151 b of FIG. 6) coupled to the upper air guide 180. A predetermined coupling member may be coupled to a first housing coupling part 183 of the upper air guide 180 through the first guide coupling part 151 b.

The upper air guide 180 has a hollow plate shape. In detail, the upper air guide 180 includes a central portion 180 a into which the upper motor 170 is inserted, an edge portion 180 b defining an outer circumferential surface of the upper air guide 180, and a guide extension part 180 c extending from the central portion 180 c toward the edge portion 180 b in an outer radial direction.

The guide extension part 180 c may extend to be inclined downward or rounded downward from the central portion 180 toward the edge portion 180 b. Due to this configuration, the air discharged downward from the upper fan housing 150 may easily flow to the outside of the main body 20.

[Detailed Configuration of Upper Fan]

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a configuration of the upper fan housing and the upper fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a configuration of the upper fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the configuration of the upper fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the upper module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the upper fan 130 generating an air flow and the upper fan housing 150 supporting the upper fan 130 and surrounding at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the upper fan 130.

The upper fan 130 may have a cylindrical shape as a whole. In detail, the upper fan 130 includes a main plate 131 to which a plurality of blades 133 are coupled and a hub 131 a provided at a central portion of the main plate 131 to protrude upward. The hub 131 a may be coupled to the upper motor shaft 171. The plurality of blades 133 may be disposed to spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the main plate 131.

The upper fan 130 further includes a side plate part 135 provided above the plurality of blades 133. The side plate part 135 fixes the plurality of blades 133. A lower end of each of the plurality of blades 133 may be coupled to the main plate 131, and an upper end of each of the plurality of blades 133 may be coupled to the side plate part 135.

[Housing Plate of Upper Fan Housing]

The upper fan housing 150 includes a housing plate 151 supporting a lower portion of the upper fan 130 and a hub seating part 152 which is provided at a central portion of the housing plate 151 and on which the hub 131 a of the upper fan 130 is seated. The hub seating part 152 may protrude upward from the housing plate 151 to correspond to the shape of the hub 131 a.

[Guide Wall]

The upper fan housing 150 further includes a guide wall 153 protruding upward from the housing plate 151 and disposed to surround at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the upper fan 130. The guide wall 153 may extend to be rounded from a top surface of the housing plate 151 in the circumferential direction. The guide wall 153 may extend in the circumferential direction and be gradually away from the upper fan 130.

[First Fan Passage]

A first fan passage 138 a through which the air passing through the upper fan 130 flows is provided between the guide wall 153 and the outer circumferential surface of the upper fan 130. The first fan passage 138 a may be understood as an air passage through which the air flows in the circumferential direction. That is, the air introduced in the axial direction of the upper fan 130 may be discharged in the radial direction of the upper fan 130 and guided by the guide wall 153 to flow while rotating in the circumferential direction along the first fan passage 138 a.

The first fan passage 138 a may have a cross-sectional area that gradually increases in the rotation direction of the air. That is, the first fan passage 138 a may have a spiral shape. This may be called a “spiral flow”. Due to this flow, the air passing through the upper fan 130 may be reduced in flow resistance, and also noise generated from the upper fan 130 may be reduced.

[First Inclined Part]

The guide wall 153 includes a first inclined part 154 extending to be inclined downward from an upper end of one side of the guide wall 153 toward the housing plate 151. Here, one side of the guide wall 153 may be farther from the upper fan 30 than the other side disposed on an opposite side of the one side.

The downwardly inclined direction may correspond to the air flow direction in the first fan passage 138 a.

An angle between the first inclined part 154 and the housing plate 151 may range from 0 degree to 60 degrees.

Due to the configuration of the first inclined part 154, it is possible to have an effect of gradually increasing in flow cross-sectional area of the air in the air flow direction.

Also, the first inclined part 154 may have a shape corresponding to an inner surface of the upper cover 120. Due to this configuration, the first inclined part 154 may extend in the circumferential direction without interfering with the upper cover 120.

[Second Fan Passage]

In the state in which the upper cover 120 is coupled to the upper fan housing 150, a second fan passage 138 b disposed at a downstream side of the first fan passage 138 a may be disposed between a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the upper fan 130 and an inner circumferential surface of the upper cover 120. The second fan passage 138 b may extend from the first fan passage 138 a in the circumferential direction in which the air flows. Thus, the air passing through the first fan passage 138 a may flow to the second fan passage 138 b.

The second fan passage 138 b may have a flow cross-sectional greater than that of the first fan passage 138 a. Thus, while the air flows from the first fan passage 138 a to the second fan passage 138 b, the flow cross-sectional area may increase to reduce flow resistance of the air passing through the upper fan 130 and noise generated from the upper fan 130.

[Second Inclined Part]

The guide wall 153 includes a first inclined part 156 extending to be inclined downward from an upper end of the other side of the guide wall 153 toward the housing plate 151. The downwardly inclined direction may correspond to the air flow direction in the second fan passage 138 b. The second inclined part 156 may be called a cut-off.

An angle between the second inclined part 156 and the housing plate 151 may range from 0 degree to 60 degrees.

Due to the configuration of the second inclined part 154, it is possible to have an effect of gradually increasing in cross-sectional area of the air flow in the air flow direction.

Also, the second inclined part 156 may disperse an impact applied by the flow of the air rotating in the circumferential direction against the other end of the guide wall 153, and thus, the noise to be generated may be reduced. The first inclined part 154 and the second inclined part 156 define both ends of the guide wall 153. Also, the first inclined part 154 may be provided in a region between the first fan passage 138 a and the second fan passage 138 b, and the second inclined part 156 may be provided in a region between the second fan passage 138 b and the flow guide part 160. As described above, the first and second inclined parts 154 and 156 may be provided on a boundary area, in which the air flow is changed, to improve flow performance of the air.

[Flow Guide Part]

The upper fan housing 150 further includes a flow guide part 160 guiding a flow of the air passing through the second fan passage 138 b. The flow guide part 160 protrudes upward from a top surface of the housing plate 151.

Also, the flow guide part 160 may be disposed on an outer surface of the guide wall 153. Due to the arrangement of the flow guide part 160, the air flowing in the circumferential direction via the first and second fan passages 138 a and 138 b may be easily introduced into the flow guide part 160. The flow guide part 160 includes a guide body 161 extending to be inclined downward in the flow direction of the air, i.e., the circumferential direction. That is, the guide body 161 includes a rounded surface or an inclined surface.

An air passage is provided in the flow guide part 160. In detail, an inflow part 165 into which the air passing through the second fan passage 138 b is introduced is provided in a front end of the flow guide part 160 with respect to the flow direction of the air. The inflow part 165 may be understood as an opened space part. The guide body 161 may extend to be inclined downward from the inflow part 165 toward the top surface of the housing plate 151.

[Cutoff Part]

A cutoff part 151 a is provided on the housing plate 151. The cutoff part 151 a is understood as a portion in which at least a portion of the housing plate 151 passes in the vertical direction. The inflow part 165 may be disposed above the cutoff part 151 a.

The inflow part 165 may be defined as the first discharge part 25 together with the cutoff part 151 a. The first discharge part 25 may be understood as a discharge hole for discharging the air flow existing above the housing plate 151, i.e., the air flowing through the first and second fan passages 138 a and 138 b to a lower side of the housing plate 151. Thus, the air flowing through the second fan passage 138 b may flow to the lower side of the housing plate 151 through the first discharge part 25.

[First Discharge Guide Part]

A first discharge guide part 158 for guiding the air flow discharged through the first discharge part 25 in the radial direction is provided on a bottom surface of the housing plate 151. The first discharge guide part 158 may protrude downward from the bottom surface of the housing plate 151 to extend from the central portion of the housing plate 151 in the outer radical direction. Also, the first discharge guide part 158 may be disposed at an outlet-side of the first discharge part 25.

A plate recess part 158 a recessed downward is provided on the housing plate 151. The protruding shape of the first discharge guide part 158 may be realized by the plate recess part 158 a. For example, the first discharge guide part 158 may be formed in a manner in which a portion of the housing plate 151 is recessed downward to form the plate recess part 158 a.

The first discharge guide part 158 may have an outer circumferential surface that is curved in both directions to convert a flow path while minimizing a flow loss of the air discharged through the first discharge part 25.

The air flow discharged through the first discharge part 25 may have a rotating property. Thus, when the air contacts the first discharge guide part 158, the air flow direction may be changed into the radial direction by the first discharge guide part 158 and then be discharged. Alternatively, the upper air guide 180 together with the first discharge guide part 158 may guide the air flow in the radial direction.

Due to this configuration, the air suctioned downward to the upper fan 130 through the first suction part 21 is guided in the circumferential direction and thus has rotation force and is discharged through the first discharge part 25. Also, the discharged air may be guided by the first discharge guide part 158 and the upper air guide 180 and thus be easily discharged through the first discharge passage 26 in the radial direction.

[First Catch Device and Latch Assembly of Upper Cover]

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a coupled state of the upper cover and the upper fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 9 and 10 are views illustrating a configuration and operation of the first catch device of the upper cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are views illustrating a configuration and operation of a second catch device of the upper cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the upper cover 120 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be provided to be separated from the flow generator 10. In detail, the upper module 100 may include a catch device that allows the upper cover 120 to selectively perform catching in the circumferential direction and the vertical direction with respect to the upper fan housing 150.

The catch device includes latch assemblies 177 a and 177 b, a hook 157 b, and a hook coupling part 127. Here, the latch assemblies 177 a and 177 b may be first catch devices, and the hook 157 b and the second coupling part 127 may be called second catch devices.

First, the first catch devices will be described in detail.

A latch coupling part 157 a to which the latch assemblies 177 a and 177 b are coupled is provided in the upper fan housing 150. The latch coupling part 157 a may be disposed on an edge portion of the housing plate 151 to protrude upward from a top surface of the housing plate 151.

The latch assemblies 177 a and 177 b include a first latch 177 a inserted into the upper cover 120 and a second latch 177 b movably coupled to the latch coupling part 157 a. The first and second latches 177 a and 177 b may be coupled to each other through an elastic member. Also, the second latch 177 b may be understood as a latch manipulated by the user and thus be called a “latch switch”.

[Latch Accommodation Part]

The upper cover 120 includes a latch accommodation part 128 into which the first latch 177 a is inserted. The latch accommodation part 128 may be disposed in an inner circumferential surface of the upper cover 120 and have an opened lower end into which the first latch 177 a is inserted.

[Catch Protrusion]

A catch protrusion 128 a on which the second latch 177 b is caught is disposed on the upper cover 120. The catch protrusion 128 a may be provided to protrude downward from a lower portion of the latch accommodation part 128. For example, the catch protrusion 128 a may be provided in plurality on a lower edge of the latch accommodation part 128.

[Latch Recess Part]

A latch recess part 177 c is provided in the second latch 177 b. The latch recess part 177 c may be recessed downward from an upper portion of the second latch 177 b. When the second latch 177 b moves upward, the catch protrusion 128 c may be inserted to be caught on the latch recess part 177 c. When the catch protrusion 128 a is inserted, the second latch 177 b may be elastically deformed to guide the catch protrusion 128 a to be inserted into the latch recess part 177 c. Also, when the catch protrusion 128 a is completely inserted, the second latch 177 b may be restored to be caught with the catch protrusion 128 a.

[Operation of Latch Assembly]

When the second latch 177 b is pushed once, the second latch 177 b may be caught with the catch protrusion 128 a. Then, when the second latch 177 b is pushed again, the catching with the catch protrusion 128 a may be released.

In detail, when the user pushes the lower portion of the second latch 177 b to allow the second latch 177 b to move upward, the second latch 177 b may be caught on the catch protrusion 128 a. Here, the second latch 177 b may be in a state which is inserted into the upper fan housing 150, i.e., a state which protrudes upward from the housing plate 151. Thus, the rotational movement of the upper cover 120 in the circumferential direction may be prevented.

That is, since the latch assemblies 177 a and 177 b are vertically restricted, or the restriction of the latch assemblies 177 a and 177 b is released, the upper cover 120 may be fixed without moving in the circumferential direction.

In this state, when the second latch 177 b is pushed again, the catching between the second latch 177 b with the catch protrusion 128 a may be released to move downward by restoring force of the elastic member, and thus, the second latch 177 b may be in the state which protrudes downward from the housing plate 151. Also, the upper cover 120 may be in a state of being separable from the flow generator 10.

In this state, power applied to the flow generator 10 may be blocked. Thus, even though the upper cover is separated while the flow generator 10 operates, the driving of the upper fan 130 may be stopped to improve safety in use. In this regard, detailed description of electrical connection and disconnection will be given later.

Also, since the upper cover 120 is separated from or coupled to the flow generator 10 through simple manipulation of the second latch 177 b, use convenience may be improved.

[Second Catch Device of Upper Cover]

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the upper module 100 may include a second catch device that allows the upper cover 120 to move in the circumferential direction so as to selectively perform catching in the vertical direction with respect to the upper fan housing 150.

The second catch device may include a hook 157 b and a hook coupling part 157 b.

The hook 157 b may have a shape that protrudes from the top surface of the housing plate 151 and then is bent in one direction, e.g., a “i” shape. The hook coupling part 127 having a shape corresponding to the hook 157 b is disposed on the upper cover 120. The hook coupling part 127 may be disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper cover 120 and be seated on the top surface of the housing plate 151.

That is, the upper cover 120 may slidably move in the circumferential direction until the hook 157 and the hook coupling part 127 are coupled to each other. Also, in the state in which the upper cover 120 and the upper fan housing 150 are coupled to each other, the hook coupling part 127 may be inserted between the top surface of the housing plate 151 and an upper portion of the hook 157 b.

A coupling groove 127 a may be defined in the hook coupling part 127, and a hook protrusion 157 c may be disposed on the hook 157 b. For example, the coupling groove 127 a may be recessed downward from an upper portion of the hook coupling part 127, and the hook protrusion 157 c may protrude downward from a bottom surface of an upper portion of the hook 157 b.

While the upper cover 120 rotates, the hook protrusion 157 c may be inserted into the coupling groove 127 a, and thus, the upper cover 120 and the upper fan housing 150 may be stably coupled to each other.

[Operation of Hook and Hook Coupling Part]

The upper cover may be inserted into the outside of the upper fan housing 150 to allow the hook coupling part 127 to be seated on the top surface of the housing plate 151. Also, when the upper cover 120 rotates in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, the hook coupling part 127 may rotate to be inserted between the top surface of the housing plate 151 and the upper portion of the hook 157 b. That is, the catching between the hook 157 b and the hook coupling part 127 may be performed.

Due to this catching operation, the upper cover 120 may be prevented from being separated upward or downward from the upper fan housing 150.

That is, since the hook 157 a and the hook coupling part 127 b are restricted or released in the circumferential direction, the upper cover 120 may be fixed without vertically moving. Thus, the second catch device may be understood as a catch device in the vertical direction of the upper cover 120.

[Effect of Catch Device]

As described above, the upper cover 120 may be stably coupled to the upper fan housing 150 by the first catch device that performs catching in the circumferential direction of the upper cover 120 and the second catch device that perform catching in the vertical direction of the upper cover 120. Also, the upper cover 120 may be easily separated from the upper fan housing 150.

That is, the catch device may stably guide the selective coupling between the upper cover 120 and the upper fan housing 150.

Also, when the upper cover 120 is separated from the flow generator 10, the upper fan housing 150 and the upper fan 130 may be exposed to the outside. Also, the exposed upper fan housing 150 and upper fan 130 may be cleaned.

Also, in the state in which the flow generator 10 operates, the upper fan housing 150 and the upper fan 130 may be covered by the upper cover 120 to prevent safety accident from occurring and provide a neat appearance.

Also, the latch assemblies 177 a and 177 b may be simply manipulated to separate the upper cover 120. Thus, the cleaning convenience of the upper fan housing 150 or the upper fan 130 may be improved.

The description with respect to the coupling structure of the upper cover 120 may be equally applied to a coupling structure of the lower cover 290, which will be described below.

<Configuration of Lower Module>

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of the lower module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Lower Fan and Low Fan Housing]

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, the lower module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower fan 130 generating an air flow and a lower fan housing 220 in which the lower fan 230 is installed. The lower fan 230 may include a centrifugal fan that suctions the air in the axial direction and discharges the suctioned air in the radial direction. For example, the lower fan 230 may include a sirocco fan.

The lower fan housing 220 may have a guide structure that is coupled to an upper portion of the lower fan 230 and guides the air flow generated by rotation of the lower fan 230 to the second discharge part 27.

[Lower Motor]

The lower module 200 further includes a lower motor 236 connected to the lower fan 230 to provide driving force. A lower motor shaft 236 a is provided below the lower motor 236. The lower motor shaft 236 a may extend downward from the lower motor 236. Also, the lower motor 236 may be disposed above the lower fan housing 220, and the lower motor shaft 236 a may be disposed to pass through the lower fan housing 220 and the lower fan 230. Also, a shaft coupling part (see reference numeral 234 of FIG. 13) to which the lower motor shaft 236 a is coupled is provided on the lower fan 230.

[Locking Part]

The lower module 200 further includes a lower locking part 239 coupled to the lower motor shaft 236 a. The lower locking part 239 is disposed on a hub 231 a of the lower fan 230 to fix the lower motor 236 to the lower fan 230.

The lower locking part 239 may rotate in one direction to provide fixing force for fixing the lower motor 236 to the lower fan 230 and rotate in the other direction to release the fixed state of the upper motor 236.

[Lower Cover]

The lower module 200 further includes a lower cover 290 disposed to surround the lower fan 230 and the lower fan housing 220. In detail, the lower cover 290 includes a cover inflow part 291 a which has an opened lower end and through which the air suctioned through the second suction part 23 is introduced. Also, the lower cover 290 further includes a cover discharge part 291 b having an opened upper end. The air passing through the lower fan 230 may flow to the second discharge passage 28 through the cover discharge part 291 b.

The cover discharge part 291 b may have a size greater than that of the cover inflow part 291 a. Thus, the lower cover 290 may have a truncated conical shape with opened upper and lower ends. Due to this configuration, the air passing through the lower fan 290 may flow to be gradually spread in a circumferential direction and then easily discharged through the first discharge part 27.

Also, the lower cover 290 includes an orifice coupling part 292 a and a hook coupling part 292 b. This will be described below.

[Protection Member]

The lower module 200 further includes a protection member 294 provided below the lower cover 29p to block heat generated from a heater assembly 260. The protection member 294 may have an approximately circular plate shape. The protection member 294 may be made of a steel material that is not burned by heat. Due to the protection member 294, the heat may not be transferred to a second pre-filter 295 to prevent the second pre-filter 295 from being damaged.

[Second Pre-Filter]

The lower module 200 further includes the second pre-filter 295 provided below the protection member 294. The second pre-filter 295 may include a filter frame 296 and a filter member 297 coupled to the filter frame 296. Foreign substances contained in the air suctioned through the second suction part 23 may be filtered by the second pre-filter 295. It is understood that a lower space part of the second pre-filter 295 provides the second suction part 23.

[Lower Air Guide]

The lower module 200 further includes a lower air guide 210 provided above the lower fan housing 220 to guide the air passing through the lower fan housing 220. The lower air guide 210 has a hollow plate shape. In detail, the lower air guide 210 includes a central portion 210 a into which the lower motor 236 is inserted, an edge portion 210 b defining an outer circumferential surface of the lower air guide 210, and a guide extension part 210 c extending from the central portion 210 a toward the edge portion 210 b in an outer radial direction.

The guide extension part 210 c may extend to be inclined upward or rounded upward from the central portion 210 a toward the edge portion 210 b. Due to this configuration, the air discharged upward from the lower fan housing 220 through the second discharge part 27 may be guided to the outside of the main body 20 to flow to the second discharge passage 28.

[PCB Device]

A plurality of components may be installed on a top surface of the guide extension part 210 c. The plurality of components include a PCB device provided with a main PCB 215 for controlling the flow generator 10. Also, the PCB device further includes a regulator 216 stably supplying power to be supplied to the flow generator 10. Power having a constant voltage may be supplied to the flow generator 10 by the regulator 216 even though a voltage or frequency of input power varies.

[Communication Module]

The plurality of components further include a communication module. The flow generator 10 may communicate with an external server through the communication module. For example, the communication module may include a Wi-Fi module.

[LED Device]

The plurality of components further include an LED device. The LED device may constitute a display part of the flow generator 10.

The LED device includes an LED PCB 218 on which an LED is installed and an LED cover 219 provided outside the LED PCB 218 in the radial direction to diffuse the light emitted from the LED. The LED cover 219 may be called a “diffusion plate”.

The LED cover 219 may be disposed to be integrally coupled to outer circumferential surfaces of the upper air guide 180 and the lower air guide 220 along outer circumferences of the upper air guide 180 and the lower air guide 220.

[Coupling Structure of Upper Air Guide and Lower Air Guide]

The upper air guide 180 and the lower air guide 210 may be coupled to each other. The upper air guide 180 and the lower air guide 210 may be collectively called an “air guide device”. The air guide device partitions the upper module 100 from the lower module 200. In other words, the air guide device may space the upper module 100 and the lower module 200 apart from each other. Also, the air guide device may support the upper module 100 and the lower module 200.

In detail, the lower air guide 210 may be coupled to a lower portion of the upper air guide 180. Due to the coupling between the upper air guide 180 and the lower air guide 210, a motor installation space is defined in each of the air guide devices 10 and 210. Also, the upper motor 170 and the lower motor 236 may be accommodated in the motor installation space. Due to this configuration, space utilization of the device may be improved.

[First Catch Device of Lower Fan Housing 220]

The lower fan housing 220 may be provided to be separable from the flow generator 10. Also, like the upper module 100, the lower module 200 may include a catch device that allows the lower cover 290 t0 selectively perform the catching in the circumferential direction and the vertical direction with respect to the lower fan housing 220.

In more detail, a latch coupling part (see reference numeral 225 b of FIG. 16) may be provided in the lower fan housing 220. Also, the latch assemblies 238 a and 238 b that are selectively caught with the lower cover 290 may be coupled to the latch coupling part 225 b.

[Latch Assembly]

The latch coupling part 225 b may be disposed on the edge portion of the housing plate 221 to protrude downward from the bottom surface of the housing plate 221. Also, the latch coupling part of the lower fan housing 220 may be provided at a position corresponding to the latch coupling part 157 a provided in the upper fan housing 150.

The description of the latch coupling part 225 b will be derived from that of the latch coupling part 157 a of the upper module 100.

The latch assemblies 238 a and 238 b include a first latch 238 a inserted into the lower cover 290 and a second latch 238 b movably coupled to the latch coupling part 225 b. Also, the description with respect to the first and second latches 238 a and 238 b will be derived from that with respect to the first and second latches 177 a and 177 b of the upper module 100.

However, the first and second latches 238 a and 238 b of the lower module are different from the first and second latches 177 a and 177 b of the upper module 100 in that, when the second latch 238 b is pushed once, catching with the catch protrusion is performed, and when the second latch 238 b is pushed again to release the catching with the catch protrusion, the second latch 238 b may become an object at which the pushing direction, the rotation, and the fixing are performed.

In detail, when the user pushes an upper portion of the second latch 238 b to allow the second latch 238 b to move upward, the second latch 238 b may be caught on the catch protrusion. Here, the second latch 238 b may be in a state which is inserted into the lower fan housing 220, i.e., a state which protrudes downward from the housing plate 221.

Thus, since the lower fan housing 220 is vertically coupled to the lower cover 290, the lower fan housing 220 may be prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction.

In this state, when the second latch 238 b is pushed again, the catching between the second latch 238 b with the catch protrusion may be released to move upward by restoring force of the elastic member, and thus, the second latch 238 b may be in the state which protrudes upward from the housing plate 221. Also, the lower fan housing 220 may be in a state of being separable from the flow generator 10. In this state (a second module that will be described below is separated from a third module), power applied to the flow generator 10 may be blocked.

[Definition of Upper and Lower Catch Devices]

The latch assemblies 177 a and 17 b of the upper module 100 may be called upper latch assemblies or upper first catch devices, and the latch assemblies 238 a and 238 b of the lower module 200 may be called lower latch assemblies or lower first catch devices.

Likewise, the hook 157 b and the hook coupling part 127 of the upper module 100 may be called an upper hooks and an upper hook coupling part or upper second catch devices, and the hook 225 a and the hook coupling part 292 b of the lower module 200 may be called a lower hook and a lower hook coupling part or lower second catch devices.

[First Operation and Second Operation]

A user's operation of first pushing (pressing) the second latch 177 b of the upper module 100 or the second latch 238 b of the lower module 200 is called a first catch operation, and a user operation of pushing (pressing) again after the first operation is called a first release operation.

The first catch operation may be understood as a pressing operation for the catching between the second latch and the catch protrusion, and the first release operation may be understood as a pressing operation of releasing the catching between the second latch and the catch protrusion.

Also, a user's operation of rotating the upper cover 120 of the upper module 100 or the lower fan housing 220 of the lower module 200 in one direction is called a second catch operation, and a user's operation of rotating the upper cover 120 of the upper module 100 or the lower fan housing 220 of the lower module 200 in the other direction is called a second release operation.

The second catch operation may be understood as an operation for the catching between the hook and the hook coupling part, and the second release operation may be understood as an operation for releasing the catching between the hook and the hook coupling part.

[Upper Orifice]

The lower module 200 further includes an upper orifice 240 which is provided below the lower fan housing 220 and in which a driving device for rotation of portions of the upper module 100 and the lower module 200 is installed. The upper orifice 240 have an opened central portion 240 a and an annular shape. The central portion 240 a may provide a passage for the air suctioned through the second suction part 23.

[Driving Device]

The driving device includes a rotary motor 270 generating driving force. For example, rotary motor 270 may include a step motor that is easy to adjust a rotation angle.

The driving device further includes a power transmission device connected to the rotary motor 270. The power transmission device may include a pinion gear 272 coupled to the rotary motor 270 and a rack gear 276 interlocked with the pinion gear 272. The rack gear 276 may have a shape that is rounded to correspond to a rotational curvature of each of the upper module 100 and the lower module 200.

[Lower Orifice]

The lower module 200 further includes a lower orifice 280 provided below the upper orifice 240. The lower orifice 280 is coupled to the leg 30. In detail, both sides of the lower orifice 280 may be coupled to the first leg extension part 33 and the second leg extension part 35. Thus, the lower orifice 280 may be understood as a fixed component of the lower module 200.

[Rack Gear]

The rack gear 276 may be coupled to the lower orifice 280. The lower orifice 280 have an opened central portion 280 a and an annular shape. The central portion 280 a may provide a passage for the air suctioned through the second suction part 23. Air passing through a central portion 280 a of the lower orifice 280 may pass through a central portion 240 a of the upper orifice 240.

[Second Air Treating Device]

The lower module 200 further includes a second air treating device that operates to air-condition or purify air flowing the lower module 200. The second air treating device may perform a function different from that of the first air treating device. For example, the second air treating device includes a heater assembly 260 supported by the lower orifice 280 and generating predetermined heat.

[Heater Assembly]

The heater assembly 260 includes a heater 261. The heater 261 may be disposed at an opened central portion 280 a of the lower orifice 240 to heat the air suctioned through the second suction part 23. For example, the heater 261 may include a PTC heater.

The PTC heater has a feature in which, when electricity is applied to both surfaces of the PCT heater, the PTC heater generates heat, and then, when the PTC heater reaches the unique Curie temperature (Tc), resistance of the PTC heater increases suddenly to restrict current, and thus, the PTC heater does not generate heat anymore. Thus, the PTC heater is advantageous in that a risk of fire is low, and a surface temperature is not high.

The heater assembly 260 further includes a heater bracket 263 supporting both sides of the heater 261. The heater bracket 263 may be coupled to the lower orifice 280.

[Roller]

The lower orifice 280 includes a roller guiding rotation of the upper module 100 and the lower module 200. The roller 278 may be coupled to an edge portion of the lower orifice 280 and provided in plurality in the circumferential direction. The roller 278 may contact a bottom surface of the upper orifice 240 to guide rotation, i.e., revolution of the upper orifice 240.

[Support]

The lower module 200 further includes supports 265 and 267 disposed above the heater assembly 260. The supporters 265 and 267 include a first supporter 265 coupled to an upper portion of the heater 261 and a second supporter 267 coupled to an upper portion of the first supporter 265.

The first supporter 265 may space the heater assembly 260 and the lower fan 230 apart from each other to prevent heat generated from the heater assembly 260 from adversely affecting other components. Also, the second supporter 267 provides a rotation center of each of the rotating upper module 100 and the rotating lower module 200. Also, a bearing 275 is provided on the second supporter 267 to guide movement of the rotating component.

[Lower Fan and Low Fan Housing]

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a configuration of the lower fan housing and the lower fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a configuration of the lower fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the configuration of the lower fan housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 14 to 16, the lower module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the lower fan 230 generating an air flow and the lower fan housing 220 coupled to an upper portion of the lower fan 230 and surrounding at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the lower fan 230.

[Detailed Configuration of Lower Fan]

The lower fan 230 may have a cylindrical shape as a whole. In detail, the lower fan 230 includes a main plate 231 to which a plurality of blades 233 are coupled and a hub 231 a provided at a central portion of the main plate 231 to protrude upward. The hub 231 a may be coupled to the lower motor shaft 236 a. The plurality of blades 233 may be disposed to spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the main plate 231.

The lower fan 230 further includes a side plate part 235 provided below the plurality of blades 233. The side plate part 235 fixes the plurality of blades 233. A lower end of each of the plurality of blades 233 may be coupled to the main plate 231, and a lower end of each of the plurality of blades 233 may be coupled to the side plate part 235.

[Difference in Size of Upper Fan and Lower Fan]

A vertical height Ho of the upper cover 120 and a vertical height Ho′ of the lower cover 290 may be substantially the same. Due to this configuration, the flow generator 10 may have a compact outer appearance and an elegant design.

On the other hand, a vertical height H2 of the lower fan 230 may be less than a vertical height H1 of the upper fan 130. This is done for compensating a height of the heater assembly 260 provided in only in the lower module 200. Here, the lower fan 230 may have a relatively low height. Thus, maximum performance of the upper fan 130 may be greater than that of the lower fan 230.

For example, when the upper fan 130 and the lower fan 230 rotate at the same number of revolution, an amount of air discharged from the upper module 100 may be greater than that of air discharged from the lower module 200. Thus, in order to control an amount of air discharged from the upper module 100 and an amount of air discharged from the lower module 200 to be the same, the number of revolution of the lower fan 230 may be adjusted to be greater than that of the upper fan 130. As a result, the mixed air flow discharged from the upper module 100 and the lower module 200 may be easily discharged in the radial direction without being biased upward and downward.

[Detailed Structure of Lower Fan Housing]

The lower fan housing 220 includes a housing plate 221 supporting an upper portion of the lower fan 230 and a hub seating part 222 which is provided at a central portion of the housing plate 221 and on which the hub 231 a of the lower fan 230 is seated. The hub seating part 222 may protrude downward from the housing plate 221 to correspond to the shape of the hub 231 a. Also, a shaft through-hole 222 a through which the lower motor shaft 236 a passes may be defined in the hub seating part 222.

The lower fan housing 220 further includes a guide wall 223 protruding downward from the housing plate 221 and disposed to surround at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the lower fan 230. The guide wall 223 may extend to be rounded from a top surface of the housing plate 151 in the circumferential direction. Since the lower fan 230 has a height H2 less than that H1 of the upper fan 130, a guide wall 223 of the lower fan housing 220 has a height less than that of a guide wall 153 of the lower fan housing 150.

[First Fan Passage]

A first fan passage 234 a through which the air passing through the lower fan 230 flows is provided between the guide wall 223 and the outer circumferential surface of the lower fan 230. The first fan passage 234 a may be understood as an air passage through which the air flows in the circumferential direction. That is, the air introduced in the axial direction of the lower fan 230 may be discharged in the radial direction of the lower fan 230 and guided by the guide wall 223 to flow while rotating in the circumferential direction along the first fan passage 234 a.

The first fan passage 234 a may have a cross-sectional area that gradually increases in the rotation direction of the air. That is, the first fan passage 234 a may have a spiral shape. This may be called a “spiral flow”. Due to this flow, the air passing through the lower fan 230 may be reduced in flow resistance, and also noise generated from the upper fan 230 may be reduced.

[First Inclined Part]

The guide wall 223 includes a first inclined part 224 extending to be inclined upward from a lower end of one side of the guide wall 223 toward the housing plate 221. The upwardly inclined direction may correspond to the air flow direction in the first fan passage 234 a. Due to the configuration of the first inclined part 224, it is possible to have an effect of gradually increasing in flow cross-sectional area of the air in the air flow direction.

[Second Catch Device of Lower Fan Housing]

The lower module 200 may include a lower second catch device that allows the lower fan housing 220 to move in the circumferential direction so as to selectively perform the vertical catching with respect to the lower cover 290.

The lower second catch device may include a hook 157 b and a hook coupling part 157 b. The housing plate 221 includes a hook 225 a caught with the lower cover 290. The hook 225 a may have a shape that protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing plate 221 and then is bent in one direction, e.g., a “i” shape.

The hook coupling part 292 b having a shape corresponding to the hook 225 a is disposed on the lower cover 290.

The hook coupling part 292 b may be disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the lower cover 290 so as to be caught with the hook 225 a disposed on the bottom surface of the housing plate 221.

That is, the hook 225 a of the housing plate 221 may slidably move in the circumferential direction until the hook 225 a is coupled to the hook coupling part 292 b of the lower cover 290.

Also, in the state in which the lower cover 290 and the lower fan housing 220 are coupled to each other, the hook coupling part 292 b may be inserted between the bottom surface of the housing plate 221 and a lower portion of the hook 225 a.

Since the hook coupling part 292 b and the hook 225 a have the same configuration as the hook coupling part 127 and the hook 157 b of the upper module 100 except for their arrangement, descriptions of the hook coupling part 292 b and the hook 225 a will be derived from those of the hook coupling part 127 and the hook 157 b of the upper module 100.

[Difference in Operation of Catch Devices of Upper Module and the Lower Module]

In the upper module 100, the upper cover 120 is slid in the circumferential direction. However, in the lower module 200, the housing plate 221, i.e., the lower fan housing 220 rather than the lower cover 290 may slid in the circumferential direction. Due to this difference, the lower cover 290 may have a cone shape having a cross-sectional area that gradually increases upward to more improve the convenience of the user.

In more detail, when the user separates the flow generator 10, it is very difficult to take out the lower cover 290 in the state in which the lower orifice 280 fixed from the leg 30, the heater assembly 260 coupled to the lower orifice 280, and the upper orifice 240 are fixed. Thus, it is inconvenient to release the coupling of other constituents.

Therefore, the lower fan housing 220 may rotate to be separated from the lower cover 290, and the lower fan housing 220 may be taken out upward to more improve the convenience of the user. Also, since the flow generator 10 is disposed at a height lower than that of the user, it may be more convenient for the user to sequentially separate the lower fan housing 220 downward from the upper constituents to the flow generator 10.

[Effect of Hook and Hook Coupling Part]

The lower cover 290 may be inserted into the outside of the lower fan housing 220 to couple the hook coupling part 292 b to the bottom surface of the housing plate 221.

Also, when the lower fan housing 220 rotates in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the hook coupling part 292 b may rotate to be inserted between the bottom surface of the housing plate 221 and the upper portion of the hook 225 a. That is, the catching between the hook 225 a and the hook coupling part 292 b may be performed. Due to this catching operation, the lower fan housing 220 may be prevented from being separated upward or downward from the lower cover 290.

That is, since the hook 225 a and the hook coupling part 127 b are restricted or released in the circumferential direction, the lower cover 290 and the lower fan housing 220 may be fixed without vertically moving. Thus, the lower second catch device may be understood as a catch device in the vertical direction of the lower fan housing 220.

[Effect of Lower Catch Device]

As described above, the lower cover 290 and the upper fan housing 220 may be stably coupled to the upper fan housing 220 by the lower first catch device that performs catching in the circumferential direction of the lower fan housing 220 and the lower cover 290 and the lower second catch device that perform catching in the vertical direction of the lower fan housing 220 and the lower cover 290. Also, the lower fan housing 220 may be easily separated from the lower cover 290.

When the lower fan housing 220 is separated from the flow generator 10, the lower fan 230 connected to the lower fan housing 220 may be exposed to the outside, and also, the lower air guide 210, the upper air guide 180, the upper fan 130, and the upper fan housing 150 may also be separated to be exposed to the outside. Thus, the cleaning convenience of the separated constituents may be improved, and manageability of the separated constituents may be improved.

[Second Fan Passage]

In the state in which the lower cover 290 is coupled to the lower fan housing 220, a second fan passage 234 b disposed at a downstream side of the first fan passage 234 a may be disposed between a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the lower fan 230 and an inner circumferential surface of the lower cover 290. The second fan passage 234 b may extend from the first fan passage 234 a in the circumferential direction in which the air flows. Thus, the air passing through the first fan passage 234 a may flow to the second fan passage 234 b.

The second fan passage 234 b may have a flow cross-sectional greater than that of the first fan passage 234 a. Thus, while the air flows from the first fan passage 234 a to the second fan passage 234 b, the flow cross-sectional area may increase to reduce flow resistance of the air passing through the upper fan 230 and noise generated from the lower fan 230.

[Second Inclined Part]

The guide wall 223 includes a second inclined part 226 that extends to be inclined upward from a lower end of the other side of the guide wall 223 toward the housing plate 221. The upwardly inclined direction may correspond to the air flow direction in the second fan passage 234 b. The second inclined part 226 may be called a cut-off. Due to the configuration of the second inclined part 226, it is possible to have an effect of gradually increasing in cross-sectional area of the air flow in the air flow direction.

The first inclined part 224 and the second inclined part 226 define both ends of the guide wall 223. Also, the first inclined part 224 may be provided in a region between the first fan passage 234 a and the second fan passage 234 b, and the second inclined part 226 may be provided in a region between the second fan passage 234 b and the flow guide part 227. As described above, the first and second inclined parts 224 and 226 may be provided on a boundary area, in which the air flow is changed, to improve flow performance of the air.

[Flow Guide Part]

The lower fan housing 220 further includes a flow guide part 227 guiding the air passing through the second fan passage 234 b. The flow guide part 227 protrudes upward from a bottom surface of the housing plate 221. For convenience of description, the flow guide part 160 provided in the upper module 100 is called a “first flow guide part”, and the flow guide part 227 provided in the lower module 200 is called a “second flow guide part”.

Also, the flow guide part 227 may be disposed on an outer surface of the guide wall 223. Due to the arrangement of the flow guide part 227, the air flowing in the circumferential direction via the first and second fan passages 234 a and 234 b may be easily introduced into the flow guide part 227. The flow guide part 227 includes a guide body 228 extending to be inclined downward in the flow direction of the air, i.e., the circumferential direction. That is, the guide body 228 includes a rounded surface or an inclined surface.

An air passage is provided in the flow guide part 227. In detail, an inflow part 228 a into which the air passing through the second fan passage 234 b is introduced is provided in a front end of the flow guide part 227 with respect to the flow direction of the air. The inflow part 228 a may be understood as an opened space part. The guide body 228 may extend to be inclined upward from the inflow part 228 a toward the top surface of the housing plate 221.

[Cutoff Part]

A cutoff part 221 a is provided on the housing plate 221. The cutoff part 221 a is understood as a portion in which at least a portion of the housing plate 221 passes in the vertical direction. The inflow part 228 a may be disposed below the cutoff part 221 a.

The inflow part 228 a may define a second discharge part 27 together with the cutoff part 221 a. The second discharge part 27 may be understood as a discharge hole for discharging the air flow existing below the housing plate 221, i.e., the air flowing through the first and second fan passages 234 a and 234 b to an upper side of the housing plate 221. Thus, the air flowing through the second fan passage 234 b may flow to the upper side of the housing plate 221 through the first discharge part 27.

[Second Discharge Guide Part]

A first discharge guide part 229 for guiding the air flow discharged through the first discharge part 27 in the radial direction is provided on a top surface of the housing plate 221. The first discharge guide part 229 may protrude upward from the top surface of the housing plate 221 to extend from the central portion of the housing plate 221 in the outer radical direction. The second discharge guide part 229 may be disposed at an outlet-side of the second discharge part 27 and be disposed below the first discharge guide part 158.

A plate recess part 229 a recessed upward is provided on the housing plate 221. The protruding shape of the second discharge guide part 229 may be realized by the plate recess part 229 a. For example, the second discharge guide part 229 may be formed in a manner in which a portion of the housing plate 221 is recessed upward to form the plate recess part 229 a.

Also, the second discharge guide part 229 may have an outer circumferential surface that is curved in both directions to convert a flow path while minimizing a flow loss of the air discharged through the second discharge part 27.

[Operation of Second Discharge Guide Part]

The air flow discharged through the second discharge part 27 may have a rotating property. Thus, when the air contacts the second discharge guide part 229, the air flow direction may be changed into the radial direction by the second discharge guide part 229 and then be discharged. Alternatively, the lower air guide 210 together with the second discharge guide part 229 may guide the air flow in the radial direction.

Due to this configuration, the air suctioned upward toward the lower fan 230 through the second suction part 23 may be guided in the circumferential direction and thus have rotation force. Then, the air may be discharged through the second discharge part 27 and be guided by the second discharge guide part 229 and the lower air guide 210 so that the air is easily discharged through the second discharge passage 28 in the radial direction.

[Guide Seating Part]

A guide seating part 221 c on which the lower air guide 210 is seated is provided on the top surface of the housing plate 221. The lower air guide 210 may be stably supported by the guide seating part 221 c. Also, a second guide coupling part 221 d to which the lower air guide 210 is coupled is provided on the guide seating part 221 c. A predetermined coupling member may be coupled to the lower air guide 210 through the second guide coupling part 221 d.

[Upper Orifice and Lower Fan]

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the upper orifice and the lower fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a configuration of the upper orifice and the lower fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a rotary motor is installed on the upper orifice according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Upper Orifice Body]

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 17 to 19, the upper orifice 240 according to an embodiment is disposed below the lower fan housing 220. In detail, the upper orifice 240 includes an upper orifice body 241 having an opened central portion 241 a. The opened central portion 241 a may provide an air passage through which air is transferred to the lower fan 230. The upper orifice body 241 may have an approximately annular shape by the opened central portion 241 a.

[Fan Guide]

The upper orifice 240 includes a fan guide 242 into which the side plate part 235 of the lower fan 230 is inserted. The fan guide 244 may protrude downward from a bottom surface of the upper orifice body 241. The fan guide 244 may be disposed to surround the opened central portion 241 a.

[Motor Support]

The upper orifice 240 further includes a motor support 244 supporting the rotary motor 270. The motor support 244 may protrude downward from the upper orifice body 241 and be disposed to surround an outer circumferential surface of the rotary motor 270. The rotary motor 270 may support the bottom surface of the upper orifice body 241 and be inserted into the motor support 244.

[Driving Device]

The lower module 200 includes a driving device generating driving force to guide rotation of the upper module 100 and the lower module 200. The upper module 100 and the lower module 200 may integrally rotate by the driving device.

The driving device includes the rotary motor 270 and gears 272 and 276. The gears 272 and 276 may include a pinion gear 272 and a rack gear 276.

The rotary motor 270 may be coupled to the pinion gear 272. The pinion gear 272 may be disposed below the rotary motor 270 and coupled to a motor shaft 270 a of the rotary motor 270. When the rotary motor 270 is driven, the pinion gear 272 may also rotate.

The pinion gear 272 may be interlocked with the rack gear 276. The rack gear 276 may be disposed inside the flow generator 10 more than the pinion gear 272. Also, the rack gear 276 may be fixed to the lower orifice 280.

Since the rack gear 276 is a fixed component, when the pinion gear 272 rotates, the rotary motor 270 and the pinion gear 272 may rotate, i.e., revolve around a center of the opened central portion 241 a of the upper orifice 240. Also, the upper orifice 240 supporting the rotary motor 270 rotates.

[Second Supporter Coupling Part]

The upper orifice 240 further includes a second supporter coupling part 248 coupled to the second supporter 267. The second supporter coupling part 248 may be provided on an inner circumferential surface of the central portion 241 a of the upper orifice 240. The second supporter 267 includes a second coupling part 267 d coupled to the second supporter coupling part 248. A predetermined coupling member may be coupled to the second coupling part 267 d through the second supporter coupling part 248.

[Cover Coupling Part]

The upper orifice 240 further includes a cover coupling part 249 coupled to the lower cover 290. The cover coupling part 249 may be provided in plurality along an edge portion of the upper orifice body 241. The plurality of cover coupling parts 249 may be disposed to spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[Orifice Coupling Part]

The lower cover 290 includes an orifice coupling part 292 a coupled to the cover coupling part 249. The orifice coupling part 292 a is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the lower cover 290 and provided in plurality to correspond to the cover coupling part 249. A predetermined coupling member may be coupled to the cover coupling part 249 through the orifice coupling part 292 a.

[Wall Support]

The upper orifice 240 further includes a wall support supporting the guide wall 223 of the lower fan housing 220. The wall support 246 may protrude upward from the top surface of the upper orifice body 241. Also, the wall support 246 may support an outer circumferential surface of the guide wall 223.

[Lower Orifice and Heater Assembly]

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a configuration of a heater assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Lower Orifice Body]

Referring to FIG. 20, the heater assembly 260 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be mounted on the lower orifice 280. The lower orifice 280 includes a lower orifice body 281 having an opened central portion 280 a (see FIG. 13). The opened central portion 280 a may provide an air passage through which the air suctioned through the second section part 23 is transferred to the opened central portion 241 a of the upper orifice 240. The lower orifice body 281 may have an approximately annular shape by the opened central portion 280 a.

[Rack Coupling Part]

The lower orifice 280 further includes a rack coupling part coupled to the rack gear 276. The rack coupling part may protrude upward from a top surface of the lower orifice body 281 and have an insertion groove into which a rack coupling member is inserted. The rack coupling member may pass through the rack gear 276 and be coupled

[Bracket Support]

The heater assembly 260 include a heater 261 and a heater bracket 263 supporting both sides of the heater 261. The heater 261 may be inserted into the opened central portion 280 a.

The lower orifice body 281 further includes a bracket support on which the heater bracket 263 is mounted. The bracket support may be provided on each of both sides of the lower orifice body 281.

[Roller Support]

A roller support supporting the roller 278 is provided on the lower orifice body 281. While the upper orifice 240 rotates, the roller 278 may contact the upper orifice 240 to perform a rolling operation.

[First Supporter]

The first supporter 265 is disposed above the lower orifice 280. Also, the first supporter 265 may be placed on the heater assembly 260. The first supporter 265 may be made of a metal material, for example, an aluminum material.

The first supporter 265 supports a rotating component of the lower module 200. Also, the first supporter 265 together with the second supporter 267 may protect the components disposed on the lower module 200 so that the components do not directly contact the heater assembly 260. That is, the first and second supporters 265 and 267 guide the lower fan 130 and the lower fan housing 220 to be spaced apart from the heater assembly 260.

[Second Supporter]

The lower orifice 280, the heater assembly 260, and the first supporter 265 are fixed components. The second supporter 267 and components provided above the second supporter, i.e., the lower fan 230, the lower fan housing 220, and the upper orifice 240 may rotate (revolved).

The second supporter 267 includes a second supporter body having an approximately ring shape and a second supporter frame extending from one point of an inner circumferential surface of the second supporter body to the central portion of the second supporter body

A rotational central portion 267 b providing a rotational center of the second supporter 267 is provided at a center of the second supporter body. The rotational central portion provides a rotational central axis of the second supporter 267.

[Base]

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a base according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 21, the base 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base body 51 placed on the ground and a base cover 53 coupled to an upper portion of the base body 51.

A through-hole 54 is provided in the base cover 53. The through-hole 54 may be formed in a central portion of the base cover 53. Also, the base 50 further includes a base supporter 58 extending upward from the base body 51 to pass through the through-hole 54. The leg body 31 may be coupled to the base supporter 58.

The base body 51 may include a base cover coupling part coupled to the base cover 53. For example, the base cover coupling part may be provided in plurality and disposed along an inner circumference of the base body 51.

A battery 51 and a power PCB 57 may be installed on the base body 51. The battery 55 and the power PCB 57 may be disposed on both sides of the base supporter 58. For example, the battery 55 and the power PCB 57 may be installed at position that are symmetrical to each other with respect to the base supporter 58.

The battery 55 installed in the base body 51 may have a relatively heavy weight, and thus, the center of gravity of the flow generator 10 may be lowered downward. In detail, the upper module 100 and the lower module 200 which include relatively heavy components may be disposed at an upper portion of the flow generator 10.

Thus, the center of gravity of the flow generator 10 may be formed at the upper portion of the flow generator 10. However, since the battery 55 is disposed on the base 50, the overall center of gravity of the flow generator 10 may be lowered. As a result, it is possible to reduce a risk of falling of the flow generator 10 and prevent safety accidents.

The base body 51 may further include an insertion hole into which a power supply line for supplying external power is inserted. Also, the power supply line inserted through the insertion hole may be connected to the battery 55 or the power PCB 57.

The power supplied from the outside or the power stored in the battery 55 may be supplied to the electric component through the power PCB 57. The electric component may include the upper motor 170, the lower motor 236, the main PCB 215, or the rotary motor 270.

A wire 60 (see FIG. 2) may be connected to the power PCB 57. The wire 60 may extend upward from the base 50 and be disposed in the leg 30.

In detail, the wire 60 may extend from the power PCB 57 to the inside of the leg body 31 and then extend to the main body 20 via the inside of the first leg extension part 33 or the second leg extension part 35. That is, the leg 30 may support the main body 200 and provide an installation space for the wire 60.

[Air Flow in Upper Module]

FIGS. 22 and 23 are views illustrating a state in which air passing through a fan is discharged from the upper module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 22, and 23, when the upper fan 130 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is driven, air may be suctioned through the first suction part 21 of the upper module 100 to pass through the upper fan 130 to generate a flow of air discharged from the first discharge part 25, i.e., a first air flow Af1.

In detail, as the upper fan 130 rotates, the air is suctioned through the first suction part 21 provided in the upper portion of the upper module 100. The air suctioned through the first suction part 21 is suctioned in the axial direction of the upper fan 130 via the first pre-filter 105.

The air introduced in the axial direction of the upper fan 130 may be discharged in the radial direction of the upper fan 130 and guided by the guide wall 153 of the upper fan housing 150 to flow while rotating in the circumferential direction along the first fan passage 138 a. Also, the air passing through the first fan passage 183 a may flow in the circumferential direction through the second fan passage 138 b disposed in a downstream side of the first fan passage 138 a.

The second fan passage 138 b may have a flow cross-sectional area greater than that of the first fan passage 138 a to reduce flow resistance of the air passing through the upper fan 130, thereby reducing noise generated from the upper fan 130.

The air flowing through the second fan passage 138 b may be discharged to the first discharge part 25 to flow to the lower side of the housing plate 151. Here, the air discharged through the first discharge part 25 may flow in a direction of the second discharge part 27. Also, the air discharged from the first discharge part 25 may be guided by the flow guide part 160 to easily flow in the circumferential direction.

The air flowing along the flow guide part 160 may be changed in flow direction by the first discharge guide part 158 provided below the housing plate 151. In detail, the air flowing in the circumferential direction may meet the first discharge guide part 158 to flow in the outer radial direction. Here, the upper air guide 180 together with the first discharge guide part 158 may guide the air flow in the radial direction.

Due to this configuration, the air passing through the upper fan 130 is guided in the circumferential direction by the upper fan housing 150 and the upper cover 120 and then is discharged through the first discharge part 25 at rotation force. Also, the discharged air may be guided by the first discharge guide part 158 and the upper air guide 180 and thus be easily discharged in the radial direction.

The ionizer mounting part 168 in which an ionizer 179 for sterilizing microorganisms contained in the air is installed is provided outside the guide wall 153. The ionizer 179 may emit anions to the first fan passage 138 a or the second fan passage 138 b. Thus, the air passing through the upper module 100 may be sterilized through the ionizer 179, and thus, clean air may be supplied to the user.

[Air Flow in Lower Module]

FIGS. 24 and 25 are views illustrating a state in which the air passing through the fan is discharged from the lower module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a flow of air discharged from the upper module and the lower module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 24, and 25, when the lower fan 230 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is driven, air may be suctioned through the second suction part 23 of the upper module 200 to pass through the lower fan 230 to generate a flow of air discharged from the second discharge part 27, i.e., a second air flow Af2.

In detail, as the lower fan 230 rotates, the air is suctioned through the second suction part 23 provided in the lower portion of the lower module 200. The air suctioned through the second suction part 23 is suctioned in the axial direction of the lower fan 230 via the second pre-filter 295.

The air introduced in the axial direction of the lower fan 230 may be discharged in the radial direction of the lower fan 230 and guided by the guide wall 223 of the upper fan housing 220 to flow while rotating in the circumferential direction along the first fan passage 234 a. Also, the air passing through the first fan passage 234 a may flow in the circumferential direction through the second fan passage 234 b disposed in a downstream side of the first fan passage 234 a.

The second fan passage 234 b may have a flow cross-sectional area greater than that of the first fan passage 234 a to reduce flow resistance of the air passing through the lower fan 230, thereby reducing noise generated from the lower fan 230.

The air flowing through the second fan passage 234 b may be discharged to the second discharge part 27 to flow to the lower side of the housing plate 221. Here, the air discharged through the second discharge part 27 may flow in a direction of the first discharge part 25. Also, the air discharged from the second discharge part 27 may be guided by the flow guide part 227 to easily flow in the circumferential direction.

The air flowing along the flow guide part 227 may be changed in flow direction by the second discharge guide part 229 provided above the housing plate 221. In detail, the air flowing in the circumferential direction may meet the second discharge guide part 229 to flow in the outer radial direction. Here, the lower air guide 210 together with the second discharge guide part 229 may guide the air flow in the radial direction.

Due to this configuration, the air passing through the lower fan 230 is guided in the circumferential direction by the lower fan housing 220 and the lower cover 290 and then is discharged through the second discharge part 27 at rotation force. Also, the discharged air may be guided by the second discharge guide part 229 and the upper air guide 210 and thus be easily discharged in the radial direction.

[Intensive Discharge of Air Passing Through First and Second Discharge Parts]

Referring to FIG. 26, the second discharge part 27 may be disposed to face the first discharge part 25 with respect to the air guides 180 and 210. Also, the air flowing to the second discharge part 27 may be discharged in the direction of the first discharge part 25. In other words, first air discharged from the first discharge part 25 and second air discharged from the second discharge part 27 may flow to be close to each other.

Also, the air discharged from the first discharge part 25 may be guided by the first discharge guide part 158 and the upper air guide 180 and then disposed to the first discharge passage 26, and the air discharged from the second discharge part 27 may be guided by the second discharge guide part 229 and the lower air guide 229 and then disposed to the second discharge passage 28.

Here, the first discharge guide part 229 may be disposed directly below the first discharge guide part 158 to concentrate the air flowing through the first and second discharge passages 26 and 28, thereby discharging the air to the outside. Due to this configuration, a flow pressure acting on the flow generator 10 may be uniform to reduce the vibration or noise of the flow generator 10.

The air discharged through the second discharge part 27 may be easily discharged to the second discharge passage 28 in the radial direction by the second flow guide part 227 and the second discharge guide part 229.

The lower module 200 further include the heater assembly 260 for heating the air passing through the lower module 200. The heater assembly 260 is disposed at a suction-side of the second blower fan 230, and the air heated by the heater assembly 260 passes through the second blower fan 230. Due to the heater assembly 260, warm air may be supplied to the user. Also, since the heater assembly 260 is provided in the lower module 200, the heat generated from the heater assembly 260 may easily act on the air flowing upward.

[Flow Direction of Air Passing Through First and Second Discharge Parts]

The rotation direction of the upper fan 130 and the rotation direction of the lower fan 230 may be opposite to each other.

For example, when the flow generator 10 is viewed from an upper side, the air discharged from the first discharge part 25 rotates in one direction of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction. On the other hand, the air discharged from the second discharge part 27 rotates in the other direction of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction.

Thus, the air discharged to the lower side of the upper fan housing 150 by passing through the upper fan 130 may be guided by one side surface of the first discharge guide part 158 and discharged in the radial direction. On the other hand, the air discharged to the upper side of the lower fan housing 220 by passing through the lower fan 230 may be guided by one side surface of the second discharge guide part 229 and discharged in the radial direction.

For example, when the air passing through the upper fan 130 moves to the first discharge guide part 158 while rotating in the clockwise direction, the air is guided by a right surface of the first discharge guide part 158 and discharged in the radial direction. Also, when the air passing through the lower fan 230 moves to the second discharge guide part 229 while rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the air is guided by a left surface of the second discharge guide part 229 and discharged in the radial direction.

On the other hand, when the air passing through the upper fan 130 moves to the first discharge guide part 158 while rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the air is guided by the left surface of the first discharge guide part 158 and discharged in the radial direction. Also, when the air passing through the lower fan 230 moves to the second discharge guide part 229 while rotating in the clockwise direction, the air is guided by a right surface of the second discharge guide part 229 and discharged in the radial direction.

Due to this configuration, the air flow direction generated in the upper module 100 and the air flow direction generated in the lower module 200 may be opposite to each other. Thus, the vibration occurring in the flow generator 10 due to the air flow may be offset. As a result, the vibration and noise of the flow generator 10 may be reduced.

[Rotation Operation of Flow Generator]

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion F to which a flow generator is fixed and a rotatable portion R according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 27, the flow generator 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a device fixed part F fixed to one position and a device rotatable part R moving while rotating. The device rotatable part R may rotate a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction with respect to the axial direction.

The device fixed part F includes the lower orifice 280, the rack gear 276, and the heater assembly 260 of the lower module 200. Also, the device rotatable part R may be understood as the upper module 100 and the remaining components except for the fixed portion R of the lower module 200.

[Assembly and Disassembly of Flow Generator]

FIG. 28 is a view illustrating a connected portion for assembly and disassembly of the flow generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The flow generator 10 may be divided into three modules so that the assembly and the disassembly are easily performed from the coupling relationship between the above-described constituents.

That is, the flow generator 10 may include a first module 40, a second module 420, and a third module 430.

[First Module]

The first module 410 may include an upper cover 120, a display cover 110 seated on the upper cover 120, a pre-filter 105 coupled to the display cover 110, a top cover support 103, and a top cover 101. Also, as described above, constituents of the first module 410 may be coupled to each other to provide one body.

The first module 410 may be selectively disassembled or assembled from the second module 420 by operations of the above-described upper catch devices 177 a, 177 b, 157 b, and 127.

[Second Module]

The second module 420 may include an upper fan 130, an upper fan housing 150, an upper motor 170, an upper locking part 175, an upper air guide 180, a lower air guide 210, a lower motor 236, a lower fan housing 220, a lower fan 230, and a lower locking part 239. Also, as described above, constituents of the second module 420 may be coupled to provide one body.

The second module 420 may be selectively disassembled or assembled from the third module 430 by operations of the above-described lower catch devices 238 a, 238 b, 225 a, and 292 b.

[Third Module]

The third module 430 may include a base 50 placed on the ground, a leg 30 coupled to the base, a lower orifice 280 coupled to the leg 30, a heater assembly 260 and a first supporter 265, which are coupled to the lower orifice 280, a second supporter 267 connected to the first supporter 265, an upper orifice 240 coupled to the second supporter 267, and a lower cover 290 coupled to the upper orifice 240. As described above, constituents of the third module 430 may be coupled to each other to provide one body.

The coupling between the third module 430 and the second module 420 may be selectively separated by operations of the above-described lower catch devices 238 a, 238 b, 225 a, and 292 b. For example, since the third module 430 is fixed to the ground by the base 50, the user may be more conveniently separate the second module 420 from the third module.

[Fixed Portion and Separated Portion]

The flow generator 10 may be understood to be divided into a fixed portion and a separated portion for convenience of the disassembly or assembly. For example, the first module 410 and the second module 420 may be defined as separated portions, and the third module 430 may be defined as a fixed portion.

Also, the separated portion may be understood as a portion that is capable of being separated by the rotation of the flow generator 10.

Here, the fixed portion may be different from a fixed part F described with reference to FIG. 27. In detail, the fixed portion may be defined as all constituents of the third module 430, which contact the ground to be erected. That is, the fixed portion includes a portion of the above-described fixed part F and a rotating part R.

The fixed portion is provided with the base 50 contacting the ground and the leg 30 extending upward from the base 50.

The user is inconvenient to separate the third module 430 first in a state where all the first module 410 to the third module 430 are coupled.

Thus, to manage the flow generator 10, the user may release the restriction of the first module 410 due to the operation of the upper catch device to rotate to be separated from the second module 420. Thereafter, the user may release the restriction of the first module 420 due to the operation of the upper catch device to rotate to be separated from the second module 430.

Thus, the upper cover 120 that is opened upward so that a large amount of dust is accumulated may be easily separated from the upper fan 130 and the lower fan 230, which are to be cleaned by suction force. Also, the cleaning or management may be performed for each separated module.

That is, the separated portion may be understood as a portion that is capable of being easily separated in the state in which the flow generator 10 is erected.

Hereinafter, a method for disassembling the flow generator 10 into respective modules by the user will be described in detail.

[Method for Disassembling Flow Generator]

FIGS. 29 and 30 are views illustrating a method of disassembling the flow generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In detail, FIGS. 29(a), 29(b), 29(c), and 29(d) are views illustrating separation of the first module and separation of the upper fan, and FIGS. 30(a), 30(b), 30(c), and 30(d) are views illustrating separation of the second module and the lower fan.

The method for disassembling the flow generator 10 may include first separation for separating the first module 410 from the second module 420 and second separation for separating the second module from the third module 430.

[First Separation]

Referring to FIG. 29(a), the first separation may be performed in the flow generator 10 in which all of the first module to the third module are coupled to each other.

In the first separation, the user may press the second latch 177 b of the first catch device of the upper module 100 upward once. Here, the pressed second latch 177 b may protrude downward by be released in catching with the catch protrusion 128 a. Thus, the restriction of the upper cover 120 in the circumferential direction with respect to the upper fan housing 150 may be released.

Also, the user may rotate the upper cover 120 in one direction while grasping the upper cover 120. Here, the fixed state between the second catch devices 127 and 157 b of the upper module 100 may be released. That is, the upper cover 120 may rotate so the hook coupling part 127 is taken out in the opened circumferential direction of the hook 157 b to release the vertical restriction of the upper cover 120.

Also, referring to FIG. 29(b), the user may lift the upper cover 120 upward to separate the first module 410. Thus, the user may easily clean or manage the first module 410 as well as expose the upper fan 130 and the upper fan housing 150 to the outside to facilitate the management.

Also, referring to FIG. 29(c), the user may confirm the upper fan 130 and the upper fan housing 150, which are exposed to the outside. Also, the user may separate the upper fan 130 when it is determined that the management such as exchange and cleaning is required. In detail, the user may rotate the upper locking part 150 in one direction to release the coupled state between the upper fan 130 and the upper motor 170.

Also, referring to FIG. 29(d), the user may lift the upper fan 130 upward after separating the upper locking part 150 to separate the upper fan 130 from the upper fan housing 150. That is, the upper fan 130 may be separated from the second module 420 according to user's selection.

[Second Separation]

Referring to FIG. 30(a), the second separation may be performed in a state in which the first module 410 is separated, and the second module 420 and the third module 430 are coupled to each other.

In the second separation, the user may press the second latch 238 b of the first catch device (lower first catch device) of the lower module 200 upward once. Here, the pressed second latch 238 b may be released in catching with the catch protrusion and thus be elastically restored to protrude upward. As a result, the restriction of the lower fan housing 220 in the circumferential direction with respect to the lower cover 290 may be released.

Also, the user may rotate the air guides 180 and 210 in one direction while grasping the air guides 180 and 210. Here, the lower fan housing 220 integrally connected to the air guides 180 and 210 may rotate. Also, for the rotation of the lower fan housing 220, the user may grasp and rotate other components.

When the lower fan housing 220 rotates, the fixed state of the second catch devices 225 a and 292 b of the lower module 200 may be released.

That is, the hook 225 a may be taken out from the hook coupling part 292 b in the circumferential direction due to the rotation of the lower fan housing 220. Thus, the restriction of the lower fan housing 220 in the vertical direction with respect to the lower cover 290 may be released.

Also, referring to FIG. 30(b), the user may lift the lower fan housing 220 upward to separate the second module 420 from the third module 430. Thus, the user may easily clean or manage the second module 420. Also, since the lower fan 230 and the lower fan housing 220 of the second module 420 and the upper orifice 240 and the heater assembly 260 of the third module 430 are exposed to the outside, the their management may be easily performed.

Also, referring to FIG. 30(c), the user may confirm the lower fan 230 and the lower fan housing 220, which are exposed to the outside. Also, the user may separate the lower fan 230 when the management such as exchange and cleaning is required. In detail, the user may rotate the lower locking part 239 in one direction to release the fixed and coupled state between the lower fan 230 and the lower motor 236.

Also, referring to FIG. 30(d), when the lower locking part 239 is separated, the user may take out the lower fan 230 downward. Alternatively, the user may upturn the lower fan 230 and then lift the lower fan 230 upwards. Thus, the lower fan 230 may be separated from the lower fan housing 220. That is, the lower fan 230 may be selectively separated from the second module 420 according to convenience of the user.

As described, the user may simply manipulate the flow generator 10 so as to be separated into three modules through the operations of the upper first and second catch devices and the lower first and second catch devices, and thus, the flow generator 10 may be improved in cleaning convenience.

[Method for Assembling Flow Generator]

The reverse order of the separation may be the assembling order of the flow generator 10. That is, after the second module 420 is coupled to the third module 430, the first module 410 may be coupled to the second module 420 to assemble the flow generator 10. Also, a method for assembling each of the modules may be performed in the reverse order of the above-described separation.

[Electrical Connection and Disconnection]

In the first separation and the second separation, electrical disconnection may occur. On the other hand, in the first separation and the second separation, electrical connection may occur.

That is, when the restriction of the catch device (upper catch device) of the upper module 100 in the circumferential direction or the vertical direction is released in the first separation, the electrical connection between the second module 420, the third module 430, and the first module 410 may be broken.

Particularly, the electrical connection between the first module 410 and the second module 420 may be provided as a contact structure for the electrical connection. For example, a pogo pin is inserted into the first latch 177 a of the upper module 100. Also, the second latch 177 b may be provided as a conductor to provide the contact point contacting the first latch 177 a. Also, the conductor may be provided so that a ring-type wire is wound downward to allow current to flow.

Thus, when the second latch 177 b is pressed to be caught with the catch protrusion 128 a, the contact point may contact the pogo pin. Here, the first module 410 may be electrically connected to the second module 420 and the third module 430.

Also, when the second latch 177 b is pressed again to release the catching with the catch protrusion 128 a, the contact point may be separated from the pogo pin to move downward, thereby causing the electrical disconnection.

Thus, when the first module 410 is separated, the current flowing to the display cover 110 may be instantly cut off to improve the safety of the user.

A central control unit controlling the power supply to the inside of the base 50 may be provided in the flow generator 10. The central control unit may include the above-described power PCB 57.

The central control unit may detect the contact connection or contact release with respect to the first module 410. That is, when the electrical disconnection with respect to the first module 410 is detected, the control unit may turn off the power supplied to the main PCB 215 disposed in the air guides 180 and 210.

That is, the central control unit may control the power to be connected to the upper fan 130 and/or the lower fan 230 only when the contact connection with the first module 410 is performed. Also, when the contact release with respect to the first module 410 is detected, the central control unit may allow the power connection with respect to the upper fan 130 and/or the lower fan 230 to be cut off.

Thus, the central control unit may recognize the separated state of the flow generator 10 through the contact connection or contact release of the first module 410 and may stop the operation of the upper fan and/or the lower fan, which are exposed to the outside when the user perform the separation manipulation, thereby preventing the safety accidents from occurring.

The above-described electrical connection or electrical disconnection manner may be equally applied to the catch device (lower catch device) of the lower module 200. Thus, the description of the electrical connection or disconnection occurring when the second module 420 is separated or assembled may be derived from that of the first module 410.

That is, when the restriction of the catch device of the lower module 200 in the circumferential direction or the vertical direction is released in the second separation, the electrical connection between the second module 420 and the third module 430 may be broken. For example, the power connection of all the constituents controlled through the main PCB 215 may be released.

Also, when the electrical disconnection between the second module 420 and the third module 430 is detected, the central control unit may turn of the power so that the power supplied from the external power source or the battery 55 is not supplied to the main body 10.

Thus, the operations of the constituents provided in the third module 430 may be forcibly terminated to prevent the safety accidents of the user, which may occur during the separation, from occurring. 

1. A flow generator comprising: a fan configured to generate a first air flow and a second air flow, which flow to close to each other in a vertical direction; a fan housing configured to accommodate the fan; a cover disposed to surround the fan and the fan housing; and a catch device configured to guide selective coupling between the cover and the fan housing, wherein the catch device perform a first operation to restrict or release the cover and the fan housing in a circumferential direction and perform a second operation to restrict or release the cover and the fan housing in the vertical direction.
 2. The flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the catch device comprises: a first catch device configured to guide the first operation; and a second catch device configured to guide the second operation.
 3. The flow generator according to claim 2, wherein the first catch device comprises: a latch accommodation part provided in the cover; a first latch inserted into the latch accommodation part; and a second latch movably coupled to the fan housing.
 4. The flow generator according to claim 3, wherein the second latch vertically moves to be restricted to or released from the latch accommodation part.
 5. The flow generator according to claim 3, wherein the first catch device further comprises a catch protrusion protruding from the latch accommodation part.
 6. The flow generator according to claim 5, wherein the first operation comprises: a first catch operation through which the second latch and the catch protrusion are caught with each other; and a first release operation through which the caught state between the second latch and the catch protrusion is released.
 7. The flow generator according to claim 2, wherein the second catch device comprises: a hook disposed to protrude from one surface of the fan housing; and a hook coupling part disposed on the cover and having a shape corresponding to the hook.
 8. The flow generator according to claim 7, wherein the hook has a shape that is bent in one direction.
 9. The flow generator according to claim 7, wherein the hook and the hook coupling part are inserted by sliding at least one of the cover or the fan housing in the circumferential direction.
 10. The flow generator according to claim 7, wherein the second operation comprises: a second catch operation through the hook coupling part is inserted into the hook; and a second release operation through which the hook coupling part is away from the hook.
 11. The flow generator according to claim 7, wherein the fan comprises an upper fan configured to guide the first air flow and a lower fan configured to guide the second air flow, the fan housing comprises an upper fan housing configured to guide the first air flow and a lower fan housing configured to guide the second air flow, and the cover comprises an upper cover configured to guide the first air flow and a lower cover configured to guide the second air flow.
 12. The flow generator according to claim 11, wherein the catch device comprises: an upper catch device configured to restrict or release the upper cover and the upper fan housing; and a lower catch device configured to restrict or release the lower cover and the lower fan housing.
 13. The flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the catch device comprises a contact part at which electrical disconnection is performed according to the restriction or release between the cover and the fan housing.
 14. A method for separating a flow generator comprising: a first module comprising an upper cover; a second module coupled to the first module and comprising a fan and a fan housing accommodating the fan; and a third module coupled to the second module and comprising a base placed on the ground, a leg extending from the base, and a lower cover coupled to the leg, the method comprising: a first separation separating the first module from the second module; and a second separation separating the second module from the third module, wherein, in the first separation and the second separation, a first catch device restricting the modules in a circumferential direction is pressed in a vertical direction to release the restriction of the modules, and a second catch device restricting the modules in the vertical direction rotates to release the restriction of the modules.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first separation comprises: pressing the first catch device to release the restriction between the upper cover and the upper fan housing in the circumferential direction; and rotating the upper cover in the circumferential direction to release the restriction of the vertical direction between the upper cover and the upper fan housing.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the upper cover is separated upward to expose the upper fan and the upper fan housing to the outside.
 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second separation comprises: pressing the first catch device to release the restriction between the lower cover and the lower fan housing in the circumferential direction.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein a direction in which the first catch device is pressed in the first separation is opposite to a direction in which the first catch device is pressed in the second separation.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the second separation further comprises: rotating the lower fan housing in the circumferential direction to release the restriction of the vertical direction between the lower cover and the lower fan housing.
 20. The method according to claim 14, wherein, when the restriction of at least one of the first catch device or the second mechanism is released, electrical disconnection between the modules is performed. 